SIMPLE LIGHTING ORDINANCE

Purpose: To establish minimum requirements for outdoor lighting that enhance visibility and public safety by preventing uncontrolled intrusion into adjacent properties and the natural environment. Voluntary best practices are recommended to promote energy conservation and preserve the town’s night sky, which is a valuable natural resource important to the town’s character.

Requirements:

Full cutoff: All lights greater than *1800 lumens shall be shielded to direct all light towards the ground.

Light trespass: All light shall be directed away from adjacent properties. The light sources in flood and spot lights shall not be directly visible from adjacent properties. High intensity light sources shall not be directly visible to drivers.

Excessive lighting shall not be used to direct attention away from existing business and community lighting. New lighting shall not cause existing lighting to appear noticeably dimmer nor reduce the sense of security it provides.

Exceptions: All lighting less than 1800 lumens. Lighting of churches and flags, emergency, holiday, as well as approved sports, and temporary lighting.

Recommended Best Practices:

Use motion sensors to control flood and spot lights.

Use high pressure sodium (HPS) lights to minimize sky glow where color recognition is not needed.

Turn off non-security parking lot lights after business hours to save energy and protect the night sky.

Provide the minimum amount of light needed to achieve safe uniform lighting with lights that consume the lowest amount of power possible.

Fully shield or horizontally flush mount all lights.

Illuminate signs and flags from above and shield all sports lighting.

Request professionals follow Illuminating Engineering Society guidelines for intensity and uniformity and not to exceed the minimum recommended values.

Definitions:

Lumen: Approximately the amount of light measured one foot from a candle. 1 lumen is approximately 1 foot candle.

*A 100-watt incandescent light produces 1800 lumens.

Grandfathering: These requirements apply only to new construction and lighting installations.